Dempsey played through the pain after his face met the foot of John Boye in the 32nd minute. He said he had trouble breathing but still managed to finish out the match.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Tuesday that starting center back Matt Besler, who left the game at halftime with tightness in his hamstring, shoud have no issues competing against Portugal in Sunday's game in Manaus." Personally for me," Klinsmann said, "Matt is no problem, all fine for the next game."

However, the U.S. was still awaiting MRI results on forward Jozy Altidore, who departed after 20 minutes against Ghana. Altidore pulled up with a hamstring injury that the U.S. declared was a strain, not a tear.

"Jozy, we now have to see how he reacts in the next couple of days with his hamstring and we are full of hope that he comes back still in this tournament, and that’s what we are going to work on every day," Klinsmann said. "The medical staff has done a tremendous job. We still have hope that Jozy will come back. How quickly? That is down to his healing process.”

Dempsey scored for the U.S. just 34 seconds into the team's Group G opener. American defender John Brooks had the game-winner four minutes after Ghana's Andre Ayew leveled the match in the 82nd minute.

According to U.S. Soccer, it is not clear whether Dempsey will wear a protective mask during the game.